We acknowledge and share your concerns about the PM 2.5 pollution spikes that are linked to the times the restaurants are in operation.

A message from Haringey Council…

We acknowledge and share your concerns about the PM 2.5 pollution spikes that are linked to the times the restaurants are in operation.

 The actions we are taking to respond to these are

 Proactive visits to the grill restaurants in Green Lanes to discuss concerns about pollution

• These visits are beginning now and we will aim to visit 2 restaurants per week over the next 10 to 12 weeks to cover all the restaurants (with an aim to finish by end of September)

• The visits will be carried out by a combination of officers from our regulatory services and enforcement teams
• The visits will be clear in their purpose to highlight the issues around air pollution resulting from emissions from the grill restaurants, and the potential health harms to the local community and also to restaurant staff
• Restaurant managers will be informed that this is a public health matter and that we (Director of Public Health and Head of Regulatory Services) are requesting action to address this.
• The main focus will be on extraction and filtration systems as a means of reducing pollution being emitted into the neighbouring area and enhancements they can make to these systems
• Cllr Gio Iozzi (cabinet lead for climate action) is looking to make links with [the] traders for Green Lanes to explore setting up a meeting with a group of restaurant owners, local councillors and council officers to raise awareness about the pollution issues and look at the collective response.

 Exploring levers through the planning process

• We are looking at the levers we have through the planning process to ensure new restaurants have a requirement to have a high standard of ventilation and filtration

• We are looking at compliance with existing planning requirements

 Partnership working

• Our lead pollution officer is linking with his counterparts across London to understand best practice across this area and to understand what additional regulation/legal powers we may need to advocate for

• Contacting the public health team at the Greater London Authority to raise awareness on this issue
• Contacting the Chief Medical Officer for England (Prof Chris Whitty) to raise awareness of the issues around commercial cooking and air pollution in light of his previous annual report on air quality
• Exploring advocacy asks for our local MPs including Catherine West

 Updating residents

• We will meet with you Alice in September with Cllr Iozzi to update on progress with a view to arranging a subsequent meeting with a wider group of residents

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 Why I’m excited:

• Finally, an unequivocal acknowledgement of the problem. Never before has Haringey Council written down that Green Lanes is causing a public health challenge. It feels like a vital turning point that they are beginning to address residents’ needs alongside that those of the businesses.
• Calling this a public health matter. No, it’s not just annoying smells or residents trying to gentrify the area; this pollution is harmful to our health and action MUST be taken.
• The tone, that the Directors of Public Health and Head of Regulatory Services will be ‘requesting action’ from the restaurants – which feels stronger than just discussing. Again, it feels like the attitude changed to that of public health first?
• Commitment to a firm timeline – by the end of September every restaurant will have been visited. So, by then we should have no doubt that the restaurants are aware of the problem AND the solutions available to them. It will be fantastic to see those that act to protect the health of their customers, staff and the community. And those that don’t.
• They are going to make the problem visible – advocating with central government, our MPs etc. Do the traders really want Green Lanes to be discussed in parliament as a pollution problem? Or do they want our restaurants to be known for delicious AND safe cuisine.
• Possible changes to planning – meaning that the problem shouldn’t get worse.

What this doesn’t do:

• Compel the restaurants to make the changes. It’s so so frustrating given that we all want change NOW. But as a community we have more levers at our disposal; knowing which restaurants engage and those that don’t will allow us to vote with our wallets.
• Say they are going to take legal action. The Council continues to insist that this is not a nuisance or any breach of the Clean Air Act – we continue to argue that can’t be true. We’ll continue discussions with our legal advisors but hopefully this won’t be needed.

I wish the council all the best in their upcoming discussions. And maybe if you are popping out to one of our restaurants, maybe ask what they are doing to create a safe environment for all?

Presentations attached - the council June presentation to the community and the residents viewpoint